#houstonopen

     This week, the PGA Tour swings into Texas for the Shell Houston Open, one of the oldest events on tour.  After the flurry of activity in the past few weeks, some of the top players in the world will be taking a break up until the Masters, in an attempt to come into Augusta in prime condition.  Not everyone shares this sentiment, though, and some believe that the best way to prepare for a major championship is to play up to it, honing their games in lesser tournaments so that when the big week arrives, they are already in a game mindset.

     Steve Stricker is of the latter opinion, and he will be one of the players expected to contend this week.  Stricker has yet to win a major in his career, despite being one of the best players in the world for the better part of the last decade.  If Stricker wins once or twice leading up to the Masters, his confidence would definitely be bolstered, and when he is confident, Stricker can make putts as good or better than anyone.

     Phil Mickelson also believes in playing up to majors, and he is another player to watch in Houston this week.  Phil is always one of the favourites at the Masters, having won three times at Augusta already, and his game really suits the course.  Phil would love to come into the first major of the year on a role, as this is how all of his previous four major victories have occurred.  If Phil can get his struggling putter going and keep his drives in the fairway, he will be tough to beat, both in Houston and at Augusta.

     Rory McIlroy, fresh off of losing the World Number One ranking to Tiger Woods, is in the field this week, and looking to regain his ranking and his mojo.  If McIlroy could win, or at least contend, this week, it could go a long way towards this, and in all seriousness, it would make perfect sense for him to do well this week.  Every other time in his young career that people have thought he was down and out, he has come up with some of his best performances, and it shouldn't surprise anyone if he is able to do so again this week.